Charles t



Patented May 2, I899.

0. T. HOWE. KEY MECHANISM FOR FLUTES DR CLARINETS.

(Application filed Feb. 10, 1898. Renewed Mar. 31, 1899.)

(No-Model.)

WITNESSES f INVENTOR ATTORN EYd m: NORRIS PETERS 120.. morou'rva, wAsumoTofl. n. cy

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES T. IIOIVE, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO BERTI'IA S. HOIVE,

OF SAME PLACE.

KEY MECHANISM FOR FLUTES OR CLARINETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,034, dated May 2, 1899. Application filed February 10, 1898. Renewed March 31,1899. Serial No. 711,821, (No model.)

To (.LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. IIOWE, a

citizen of lumbus, i

the United States, residing at C0- n the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Key Mechanism for Flutes, Clarinets, and Kindred Instruments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates more particularlyto devices for closing or opening the holes in flutes, piccolos, clarinets, and kindred musical instruments of the type commonly known as the wood, wind, or reed instruments.

vation of longitudinal section.

the hole side. Fig. 2 is a central Fig. 3 is an exterior view, the barrel being turned so that the key is in the normal position thereof, as seen in plan. Fi

4 is a cross-section on line a at,

Fig. 1, the key being in its elevated or normal position and the vent-hole open.

Fig. 0

is a similar sectional view showing the key depressed.

I igz- (3 is a sectional view on the line 12 y, Fig. 1.

In the drawings I have shown the invention as made where the hole is normally open and to be closed by depressing the key, and

in the several views the numeral 1 designates the barrel of the instrument, which is of the usual hol nates the low cylindrical form, and 1 desigusual vent-hole thereon. iVithin the barrel is a hollow cylindrical valve 2, open from end rel 1, but the said v to end, that fits neatly in the barso as to be freely rotatable therein, alve also having a vent-hole 2, corresponding substantially in diameter to the hole 1".

The valve is so placed that when rotated on its axis its hole may be brought to connect with the hole in the barrel of the in- The valve is shown to have a slotstrum cnt.

ted arm or projection 2, that extends through a circumferential slot 1 in the barrel 1. Secured on the outer side of the barrel are posts 3, in which is journaled a shaft 4, having a key 5 adjustably secured therein. Secured on the shaft also is a slotted or forked "linger 6. On the barrel, below the shaft, is a short stud or pin 7, on which swings an arm 8, the free end of which enters the slotted projection 2 of the valve, and the slotted finger 6 engages said arm 8, so that as the shaft 4: is rocked by the key 5 the valve is rotated on its axis; but an ordinary spring 9 is placed between the one of the posts 8 and the shaft 45, that tends to hold the key up in operative position.

The sections constituting the valves when placed in the flute or other instrument will form a continuous straight opening through the bore of the flute.

It will be observed that my invention dispenses entirely with pads, and therefore obviates all the disadvantages and expense incident to their use. It will also be observed that the opening from the barrel of the instrument to the atmosphere is free and direct, thereby insuring a full pure tone, with possibly a smaller vent-hole.

' VJhile I have illustrated my invention as used in a flute, it is equally useful in the other instruments of the class to which the flute belongs, which includes the piccolo, clarinet, oboe, saxaphone, bassoon, &c., as contradistinguished from the class known as brass instruments.

hat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a flute or similar instrument a short tube open from end to end and havingahole in its side adapted to be brought into and out of coincidence with a through-openingin the side of the barrel of the instrument, combined with a key for operating the same and aspring for holding said key normally in operative position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES T. IIOIVE.

Witnesses GEORGE W. ALFRED,

GEORGE M. FINCKEL. 

